Page 49 of A Game as Old as Time

The lead.

The car shot out of the parking lot.

Right.

Her legs were beginning to feel weak again as she walked back to her car and threw herself up against it. There were no longer butterflies in her stomach, just knots, and she was starting to feel sick.

I am going to be the lead.

Chapter 10

“This is Johnny May, live from the South Mountain Football Boosters Fundraiser! It is a beautiful September Saturday, and if you are out by Oak and Main, please stop by and check out the vendors and car wash. Proceeds for this year’s event will go to all after-school activities, including this year’s musical. Some breaking news here at WRXT: We have just been informed that our very own South Mountain football team will be participating in the musical in various roles. It should be something special, as Gunner Weston will be carrying the lead role…”

**********

Gunner shook his head and walked away from the radio booth.

I’m not the lead.

He flexed his hands and moved through the vendor tents.

Hailey’s the lead.

“Gunner!” Tony walked toward him with a huge grin, instantly easing the fire that was growing in his belly. “Great game last night, Gunner! You boys played great.”

The smell of pizza sauce and cheese was redolent as the two came together in an embrace.

“Thanks, Tony. Thanks for sticking with us.” He pulled back, but Tony refused to let him go.

“Are you kidding me, kid? We would never give up on you guys.” The smile remained, comforting Gunner with its sincerity. “As long as we have you on the sideline, kid, I know we have a chance.”

God damnit, Tony.

Gunner’s smile faltered.

“Well, Coach Bianchi has done a good job too.”

Tony winced before his big Italian smile returned.

“Yeah, of course.”

Gunner stood quiet for a second before grabbing the man’s shoulder.

“Trust me, Tony.” They turned and faced the tents. “We’re all going to get through this.”

Together.

Tony sighed.

“I trust you, Gunner.” He hugged the boy again with one arm. “And if you trust him, well then, I trust him.”

Better.

Gunner knew that Tony had loved his father. They were like brothers and had started the football Boosters together. Like the rest of the people in town, Tony was still healing, and he was not going to trust Coach Bianchi easily.

I understand that.

They all had questions about his background and why he would just up and quit a great coaching job like the one he had in California. If he could only tell them the real story, they would understand. They would see the man Gunner saw in their meeting, broken and suffering, needing the support of this town. However, it was not his place to tell, and the only way he knew how to help right now was to win football games.

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